Long-time cinema professionals Dave Ballew and Scott Kimber have taken the helm of ACE. The partnership between Ballew and Kimber traces back to their teenage years at Luxury Theatres, where both began their careers in hands-on service roles. Those early experiences laid the groundwork for decades of industry leadership. Scott Kimber later advanced his career with Moyer Theaters before joining American Cinema Equipment in early 1996 as the company’s first employee, helping establish the foundation of the organization in its formative years.
Dave Ballew brings a broad background in exhibition, design, and development leadership, having worked with ACT III Theatres, Wallace/Hollywood Theatres, Hodges Architects, iPic Theatres, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. Most recently, he represented Hamilton Commercial, a developer specializing in multi-family residential, industrial, and commercial projects, including the Palace Poker card house in Grand Prairie, Texas. Together, Ballew and Kimber bring a rare combination of operational, technical, and development expertise to ACE’s next chapter of growth.
“As new owners of the company, we are proud to build upon the strong foundation established by Scott Hicks and Patty Boucher,” Scott Kimber said. “We are committed to carrying their legacy forward with the same dedication and high standards that have defined the company’s success. The ACE organization—including sales leadership under Doug Sabin and Spencer Chao, as well as operations and technical support—will remain fully intact, ensuring continuity and a seamless experience for our customers.”
Patty Boucher shared, “I am proud to have kept the company within the family—it means the values and relationships we’ve built over the years will continue to shape its future. I have full confidence in the future success of the business under this next chapter of leadership.”
“I am excited to be part of the American Cinema Equipment family,” added Dave Ballew. “Prior to the company’s founding, I had the opportunity to work alongside both Scott Hicks (Founder) and Scott Kimber. Although our paths eventually took different directions, I’ve maintained strong relationships with them—as well with Patty—as both an exhibitor and customer of ACE, and as a friend—and I have always been proud to see their continued success. Now, after nearly four decades in the industry, partnering with Scott Kimber in ownership of ACE marks a meaningful new chapter. I look forward to carrying forward the legacy of the previous owners, while also expanding our capabilities into areas such as kitchen and bar design and sales, lounge and bar furnishings, and network, security, and access control design.”
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